Whitehaven have added Kiwi utility back Geronimo Doyle to their squad for the 2022 Betfred Championship season.
The 24-year-old spent last season with Swinton in the Championship and impressed despite the Lions’ subsequent relegation.
Doyle, now back home in New Zealand, has agreed a one-year deal with Whitehaven to return ton the Championship.
He has family connections to the club as he is the nephew of Casino Doyle who played briefly for the club back in the 1995/6 season.
Geronimo spent a brief period training with the Lions early in 2020, but COVID-19 intervened before possible terms could be finalised.
However, the Lions were able to reopen talks ahead of the 2021 season and secured his services.
He had been previously with the Otahuhu Leopards in the Fox Memorial Premiership, the senior league in Auckland.
He also has extensive experience playing representative rugby league in his own country, including appearances for the New Zealand Maori residents’ team.
Doyle is a strong running, assured and well-balanced player, who can cover a variety of positions, including full-back, centre and wing. He is also a fine goal-kicker and has all the ingredients to replace last season’s crowd favourite Lachlan Walmsley who has joined Halifax.
Head coach Jonty Gorley said: “Geronimo is an excellent addition to our squad, especially with Gregg McNally not being able to commit this time.
“Geronimo can play most of the back positions but he’s comfortable at full-back and I think he plays his best rugby there. He’s a great returner of the ball who can find the right pass and is defensively sound.
“Anytime Geronimo has played against us, whatever position he has played, he has always caught my eye. Having played Championship last season and played at a good standard when he was younger, Geronimo will be good for us.”
Club director Ashley Kilpatrick, a member of the Football Committee, said: “It’s brilliant to have Geronimo on board for 2022 as he’s an exciting player to watch.
“A New Zealand Residents player and NZ Maori international, he’s also very versatile as he can play anywhere in the backs but is most comfortable at full back. He has great footwork and a really good pass selection on him.
“He also recently won Swinton’s players’ player of the year and he was thought of really highly down at Heywood Road. We beat off some bigger more wealthy competition to get Geronimo here.
“We’ve been speaking for a couple of months to Geronimo, he’s a really humble lad and keen to get going at the LEL Arena. He’s expected back in the UK the first week in January after a short break back home in New Zealand.
“I’d also like to thank Kasey King who has been absolutely brilliant to deal with helping get Geronimo over here.
“I’d also like to thank the Vice Presidents who have yet again stepped up to help us with his flights. I can’t thank them enough for doing this as it’s massively appreciated by everyone at the club.”
